Tray cover

ABSTRACT

A cover configured to cover an opening of a tray or container is provided. The cover may include a main panel and a pair of side panels, each side panel extending from opposing edges of the main panel. Each side panel may include an intermediate panel connected to the main panel by a fold line, and a side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. The intermediate panel is at least partially secured to a bottom surface of the main panel. The side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel. A slot is formed between the side flap of the side panel and the bottom surface of the main panel. The slot is configured to receive an upper portion of the tray or container when the cover is positioned on the tray or container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/115,327, filed on Nov. 18, 2020, to Scott Waldowski, entitled “Tray Cover,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trays and open containers are commonly used for holding and serving food items as well as other types of contents. These trays and similar containers are often configured without lids or covers for more efficient manufacturing, storage, use, and convenience. However, it is often desirable to cover the opening of the tray or container once contents (such as food items) are place therein in order to prevent the contents from spilling out of the tray, to protect the contents within the tray, and for ease of transport. Currently known tray and container cover designs involve the use of a full wrap-around sleeve that is placed around the entirety of the tray or container. These sleeves have a generally rectangular box shape that is generally the same size as the tray or container that it is intended to be used with and has open ends to allow the sleeve to be slid over and around the tray or container to enclose the upper opening of the tray or container.

One problem with such wrap-around sleeves is that they require significant use of material because they wrap around the sidewalls and bottom wall of the tray or container as well as the upper opening. Another problem with known wrap-around sleeves is that they must be designed and configured for use with specific tray or container sizes, as the height of the sleeve must conform to the height of the tray or container. As a result, a wrap-around sleeve can generally only be used with one particular tray or container size and is not adaptable to a variety of tray or container sizes, particularly trays or containers of differing heights.

Accordingly, a need exists for a tray cover design that can sufficiently cover and enclose the opening of a tray or container while being efficient in terms of the use of material. Further, a need exists for a tray cover design that can be used with trays and containers of varying heights and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to a tray cover that may be used in connection with a tray or container. The tray cover may include a main panel and a pair of side panels, each side panel extending from opposing edges of the main panel. Each side panel may include an intermediate panel connected to the main panel by a fold line, and a side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. The intermediate panel is at least partially secured to a bottom surface of the main panel. The side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel along the hinge line. The tray cover is configured to cover an upper opening of the tray or container. In one embodiment, wherein the main panel has a length and width approximately equal to or slightly greater than a length and width of the tray so that the tray cover can be positioned over the entirety of the upper opening of the tray. In one embodiment, the tray cover is configured to engage an upper terminal edge of the tray.

In one embodiment, a slot is formed between the side flap of the side panel and the bottom surface of the main panel. The slot is configured to receive an upper edge of the tray when the tray cover is positioned on the tray. In one embodiment, the tray cover is configured to slide along a length of the tray between an open position where the interior of the tray is exposed and an enclosed position where the interior of the tray is covered. In one embodiment, the side flaps are configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of the sidewall of the tray when the tray cover is positioned on the tray. In one embodiment, the side flaps are biased about the hinge line in a direction toward the main panel and are configured to rotate away from the main panel when frictionally engaging the sidewall of the tray. In one embodiment, the side flap of the side panel is inwardly positioned along the bottom surface of the main panel and offset from an outer edge of the main panel. In one embodiment, the side flap of the side panel includes a triangular fold flap defined along an outer end of the side flap. In one embodiment, the triangular fold flap is configured to rotate further away from the bottom surface of the main panel than the remainder of the side flap.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a foldable blank for forming the cover. The blank may generally include a main panel having at least one edge, an intermediate panel connected to the edge of the main panel by a fold line, and a side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. Upon formation of the blank into the cover, the intermediate panel can be at least partially secured adjacent to a bottom surface of the main panel and the side flap may be configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel to define a slot therebetween.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a tray cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tray cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank for a tray cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial side perspective view of the tray cover of FIG. 1, illustrating a side panel portion of the tray cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom perspective view of the tray cover of FIG. 1, illustrating a side panel portion of the tray cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the tray cover of FIG. 1, illustrating the tray cover positioned partially on a tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the tray cover and tray of FIG. 6, illustrating the tray cover positioned fully on the tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the tray cover and tray of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a tray cover positioned on a second, alternative tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the tray cover and tray of FIG. 9, illustrating the tray cover partially positioned on the tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial side perspective view of the tray cover and tray of FIG. 9, illustrating the engagement of the tray on a sidewall of the tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a partial bottom perspective view of the tray cover and tray of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that some or all of the various features and structures described and shown with respect to each of the specific embodiments referenced herein may be combined to form additional or alternative embodiments having such combinations and that such combinations are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the figures, the present invention is directed to a tray cover 10 that may be used in connection with a tray or container 100. Tray cover 10 may be configured to be positioned over the upper end opening of tray 100 and fully or partially enclose the upper end of tray 100 in order to protect the contents contained therein. According to certain embodiments, tray cover 10 may be configured to be used in connection with a food tray or container 100 for holding various types of food contents; however, it is recognized that tray cover 10 may be designed and configured to use in connection with any suitable tray or container 100.

Tray 100 is not intended to be a novel component of the present invention and may embody any standard tray or container configuration. Tray 100 may be configured as any type of open tray or container now known or hereafter developed, including those commonly used in the food service industry. It will be appreciated that the term “tray” as used herein to described the cover 10 and its application, may just as easily be replaced with the term “container,” “carton,” dish,” “bowl,” “canister,” “receptacle,” “box,” “package,” or the like, as the cover 10 is adapted for use with any such suitable devices. As shown in FIGS. 6-12, tray 100 may include a bottom wall 102, upwardly-extending sidewalls 104 having a free terminal upper rim or edge 106 and an opening 108 for providing access to the interior portion of the tray 100. The sidewalls 104 may be outwardly tapered, as shown in the figures, or may be generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 102. Embodiments of tray 100 may further include a peripheral lip or flange provided at the free terminal upper edge 106 and extending outwardly from the upper end of tray 100. Tray 100 may be constructed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, paperboard, molded fiber, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material now known or hereafter developed.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, tray cover 10 may have a generally rectangular shape that generally conforms to the size and shape (e.g., width and depth) of the upper end of the tray 100 for which tray cover 10 is to be used. However, it is recognized that tray cover 10 may have any suitable shape, including a shape other than rectangular, that is capable of enclosing the upper end opening 108 of a corresponding tray 100. It will be appreciated that tray cover 10 may be constructed from paperboard, food grade paperboard, laminated paperboard, coated paperboard, cardboard, polymers, thermoplastic materials, molded fiber, laminated molded fiber, or any other suitable material now known or hereafter developed.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, tray cover 10 may include a main panel 12 and side panels 14 extending from each longitudinal side edge 16 of main panel 12. Side panels 14 may be foldably connected to side edges 16 of main panel 12 by a fold line, which may be formed using any suitable means, including without limitation, perforations, score line, or indentation that facilitates the folding of side panels 14 about side edge 16. The particular type or configuration of the fold line used for forming side edge 16 can define the overall contour and shape of side edge 16 (and the outer edge of tray cover 10 overall) once side panel 14 is folded about side edge 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, side edge 16 may have an uneven type configuration due to the perforated or partial indentation-type fold line of side edge 16; however, it is recognized that a smooth-type fold line or other suitable fold line configuration may be used to form side edge 16. Each side panel 14 may include an overlapping intermediate panel 18 and a side flap 20 extending from intermediate panel 18. As best shown in FIG. 3, intermediate panel 18 may be connected to main panel 12 via fold line or side edge 16 and side flap 20 may be connected to intermediate panel 18 via a second fold line or hinged edge 22 opposite fold line or side edge 16. Second fold line 22 may also be formed using any suitable means that facilitates the folding and rotation of side flap 20 about hinged edge 22. As best shown in FIGS. 2-3, when forming tray cover 10, intermediate panel 18 may be folded along side edge 16 so that intermediate panel 18 overlies main panel 12 along an overlapped longitudinal end portion 24 of main panel 12. Intermediate panel 18 may be fully or partially secured to a bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 (along overlapped longitudinal end portion 24) using any suitable means, including without limitation, an adhesive, glue, hot melt, poly melt, or other suitable method. As best shown in FIG. 3, glue tabs or indicators may be provided for the application of a glue or adhesive along specific locations of main panel 12 adjacent intermediate panel 18 to secure intermediate panel 18 in an overlapped position once folded onto main panel 12; however, any suitable methods or means, including but not limited to mechanical or structural means and the like, may be alternatively utilized in securing intermediate panel 18 to main panel 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, side flap 20 extends from intermediate panel 18 along hinged edge 22 and may include a terminal free edge 28 opposite hinged edge 22. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each side flap 20 may be intermediately positioned within main panel 12 and offset from the outermost edge of tray cover 10 by overlapped end portion 24. As a result, hinged edge 22 and side flap 20 extending therefrom may, for example, be inwardly positioned from side edge 16 of main panel 12 by a distance approximately equal to the width of intermediate panel 18 (and overlapping panel 24).

Side flaps 20 may be configured to be folded away from bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 along hinged edge 22 when tray cover 10 is placed on tray 100. Due, in part, to the overlapped and secured arrangement of intermediate panel 18 from which side flap 20 extends, side flap 20 may be biased toward a folded flap position where it lays adjacent bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 and generally parallel to main panel 12. As described in greater detail below, this configuration may assist in creating a frictional or squeezing engagement between side flap 20 and tray 100 when tray cover 10 is positioned onto tray 100. Hinged edge 22 may be configured to urge terminal free edge 28 toward bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 while still enabling side flap 20 to rotate away from main panel 12 when force is applied to side panel 12 in an outward direction from main panel 12. Hinged edge 22 may also be configured so that the resting position of side flap 20 places side flap 20 and terminal free edge 28 slightly away from main panel 12 and a small gap or space is formed therebetween. In other words, side flap 20 need not necessarily rest on or come into contact with bottom surface 26 of main panel 12. In this configuration, side flap 20 may be rotated about hinged edge 22 away from main panel 12 by a slight angle when in a resting position. According to one embodiment, hinged edge 22 and side flap 20 may be configured to provide a resting position where side flap 20 is rotated away from bottom surface of main panel 12 an angular distance approximately equal to or less than 90 degrees, approximately equal to or less than 45 degrees, approximately between 0 and 30 degrees, or less than 10 degrees. The resting position may also be configured to provide an angle of rotation away from main panel approximately equal to or less than the taper angle of a corresponding tray or container sidewall 104 to facilitate the frictional engagement of side flap 20 with the tray or container sidewall 104.

As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, each side flap 20 may include tapered or angled end edges 30. Tapered edges 30 may assist in sliding tray cover 10 onto tray 100 as described in greater detail below. Each side flap 20 may optionally further include a triangular corner flap 32 provided along one or both ends of the side flap 20. Each triangular corner flap 32 may be formed by a diagonal fold line 34 intermediately formed within side flap 20 as best shown in FIGS. 3-5. Triangular corner flaps 32 may be configured to deflect away from the remainder of side flap 20 (and away from main panel 12) to assist in sliding tray cover 10 onto a tray 100 as described in greater detail below. As best shown in FIG. 4, the angle of rotation of triangular corner flaps 32 relative to main panel 12 may be slightly greater than the angle of rotation of the remainder of side flap 20 relative to main panel 12. It will be appreciated that optional flaps 32 need not be triangular and may alternatively be of any suitable shape or configuration.

Turning to FIGS. 6-12, tray cover 10 is shown in use with a tray 100 in order to cover and enclose the upper end opening 108 of tray 100. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, prior to use, side flaps 20 of tray cover 10 may be folded outward and away from the bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 in order to form a groove or slot 36 into which an upper portion of tray 100 may be at least partially received. Once side flaps 20 are folded away from main panel 12, the groove or slot 36 is created or defined by the space formed between side flaps 20 and bottom surface 26 of main panel 12. As also described above and illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, side flaps 20 may be configured with a resting position where side flaps 20 as rotated slightly away from bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 by an angle, thereby forming the groove or slot 36. Triangular corner flaps 32 formed alongside side flaps 20 may additionally be folded further away from main panel 12 in order to facilitate the engagement of tray cover 10 with tray 100. As described below, the upper terminal ends or edges 106 of the longitudinal tray sidewalls 104 may be received within the groove or slot 36 in order to secure tray cover 10 to tray 100 (as best shown in FIGS. 10-12).

To use tray cover 10 with a corresponding tray 100, tray cover 10 may be positioned adjacent to one of the lateral ends of tray 100 so that slots 36 formed by side flaps 20 are generally aligned with the upper terminal edges 106 of tray 100. Side flaps 20 of tray cover 10 may then be placed in engagement with the sidewalls 104 of tray 100 (along upper terminal edges 106) so that the upper terminal edges 106 of tray sidewall 104 are received within slots 36 defined between side flaps 20 and main panel 12. Tray cover 10 may then be slid longitudinally along upper terminal edge 106 of tray 100 until main panel 12 of tray cover 10 fully or partially covers and encloses opening 108 of the tray 100. Of course, tray cover 10 may alternatively be applied to tray 100 using other suitable methods. For example, using another possible method, tray cover 10 may be applied to tray 100 such that a first side flap 20 on a first side of tray cover 10 is bent or deformed in order to receive a first upper terminal edge 106 on a first side of tray 100, and a second side flap 20 on a second side of tray cover 10, either subsequently or simultaneously, is bent or deformed in order to receive a second upper terminal edge 106 on a second side of tray 100. In other words, the tray cover 10 may be applied to the tray 100 one side at a time or both sides generally simultaneously. It will further be appreciated that tray cover 10 may be applied to tray 100 either manually or by machine.

As best shown in FIGS. 10-12, the upper terminal edge 106 of tray 100 may engage and be restrained by the overlapped end portion 24 of tray cover 10. Additionally, side flaps 20 may press against, squeeze, and/or frictionally engage the sidewalls 104 of tray 100 to assist in securing tray cover 10 to tray 100 and guiding tray cover 10 along the upper terminal edge 106 of tray 100 while tray cover 10 is slid over the tray opening 108. Because side flaps 20 are biased toward a generally flat and parallel position against the bottom surface 26 of main panel 12 (or other angled configuration relative to main panel 12), side flaps 20 may engage and press against tray sidewall 104 as side flaps 20 attempt to spring back or otherwise return to their generally flattened position when tray cover 10 is positioned onto tray 100.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tray cover for use with a tray, the tray cover comprising: a main panel having at least one edge; and a side panel extending from the at least one edge of the main panel, the side panel comprising: an intermediate panel connected to the main panel by a fold line; and a side flap connected to the intermediate panel; wherein the intermediate panel is at least partially secured adjacent to a bottom surface of the main panel and the side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel; wherein the tray cover is configured to cover an upper opening of a tray.
 2. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the tray cover is configured to engage an upper terminal edge of the tray.
 3. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line.
 4. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the side flap is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of a sidewall of the tray when the tray cover is positioned on the tray.
 5. The tray cover of claim 4, wherein the side flap is biased for rotation toward the bottom surface of the main panel to at least partially provide the frictional engagement of the side flap to the sidewall when the tray cover is positioned on the tray.
 6. The tray cover of claim 1 further comprising a slot defined between the side flap of the side panel and the bottom surface of the main panel, wherein the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of an upper terminal edge of the tray when the tray cover is positioned on the tray.
 7. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the tray cover is configured to slide along a length of the tray between an open position where at least a portion of the interior of the tray is exposed and a closed position where the interior of the tray is covered.
 8. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the side flap of the side panel is inwardly positioned along the bottom surface of the main panel and offset from the at least one edge of the main panel.
 9. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the side flap of the side panel includes a triangular fold flap defined along an outer end of the side flap.
 10. The tray cover of claim 9, wherein the triangular fold flap is configured to rotate further away from the bottom surface of the main panel than a remainder of the side flap.
 11. The tray cover of claim 1, wherein the intermediate panel is secured to the bottom surface of the main panel by at least one of an adhesive, glue, hot melt, and poly melt.
 12. A cover for use with a container, the cover comprising: a main panel; at least one side flap extending from a bottom surface of the main panel, wherein the side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel; and at least one slot defined between the side flap and the bottom surface of the main panel; wherein the cover is configured to cover an opening of a container.
 13. The cover of claim 12 further comprising an intermediate panel connected to an edge of the main panel by a fold line, wherein the side flap is connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line.
 14. The cover of claim 12, wherein the side flap is biased for rotation toward the bottom surface of the main panel.
 15. The cover of claim 12, wherein the slot is configured to receive an upper portion of the container when the cover is positioned on the container.
 16. The cover of claim 12, wherein the side flap is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of a sidewall of the container when the cover is positioned on the container.
 17. A foldable blank for forming a cover, the blank comprising: a main panel having at least one edge; an intermediate panel connected to the at least one edge of the main panel by a fold line; and a side flap connected to the intermediate panel; wherein upon formation of the cover, the intermediate panel is at least partially secured adjacent to a bottom surface of the main panel and the side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel.
 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the intermediate panel is configured to be secured to a bottom surface of the main panel upon formation of the cover.
 19. The blank of claim 17, wherein the side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line.
 20. The blank of claim 17, wherein upon formation of the cover, a slot defined between the side flap and a surface of the main panel. 